Abstract
Density fluctuation effects on the conformation of a polymer chain in a supercritical solvent were investigated by performing a multiscale simulation based on the density-functional theory. We found (a) a universal swelling of the polymer chain near the critical point, irrespective of whether the polymer chain is solvophilic or solvophobic, and (b) a characteristic collapse of the polymer chain having a strong solvophilicity at a temperature slightly higher than the critical point, where the isothermal compressibility becomes less than the ideal one.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 030801 |
Journal | Physical Review E - Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics |
Volume | 79 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 3 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
- Statistics and Probability
- Condensed Matter Physics